West Bench Neighborhood Association Board Meeting June 9, 2022
The West Bench Neighborhood Association General Meeting was brought to order on June 9, 2022, by
President Jonathan Melby. This meeting was held from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the Ustick Library.
Attendance taken
Tiffany Brugee-McCree, Program Manager at Energize Boise met with the West Bench leadership and
the general community to bring all in attendance current to the Goddard Pathways Linear Park plus
Spaulding Ranch – next phase.
The Goddard project:
The Settlers Board of Commissioners and the Boise City Council will meet to finalize the agreement for
the park’s progress and completion. To date, there is $150,000.00 designated for this project. Late for
Settlers Irrigation District will approve the Donation Agreement on the 12 th of July. The Boise City
Council is to approve this agreement the following week. August and or into September the Energize
Team will be reaching out to the West Bench Community for updates; construction to begin
August/September 2022.
Spaulding Ranch Park:
Expansion of the irrigation system, tree pruning, and additional improvements are to be made over
the following months. The next- steps will be discussed and presented to the West Bench Community
in late August or early September.
McCree provided an update regarding the mayor’s goals plus the City Council and how the integration
of the Neighborhood Association’s wishes and goals can be met. There is the goal to create a program
that will allow neighbors and citizens of Boise to provide critical feedback via a survey that will be sent
for its completion. The Mayor and Council are looking for opportunities to learn what can be
improved upon plus the pros and cons to date at the request of the citizens.
Additional discussion led by McCree that Boise Leadership is targeting:
Activities with other associations can be shared additionally, Communities come together its meet
neighbors. Advocacy for community-building events. A goal is to build Leaders and retain leadership
within the community.
ACHD and their projects relating to West Bench and throughout Boise, additionally Planning and
Zoning projects and their integration.
Bicycle access to additional parts of the community; linking biking lanes throughout the Boise
Community. McCree identified the Mayor’s plan for the Pathways Bikeways initiative. Safe access
to the Greenbelt from the Bench neighborhood was identified as one of the WBNA goals.
Question and Answer opportunity with McCree:
Project Manager Request is as follows: Goddard and Spaulding. Project Manager – Wendy Larimore –
WLarimore@cityofboise.org)
Q and A –
The tentative activity is a ‘Walk the Park’ opportunity to see the current progress of the Spaulding
Park is to date was discussed. Jody Hull requested the opportunity to improve neighborhoods to
follow codes for keeping properties within the guidelines of code compliance.
The Zucchini Festival-Fall Harvest Committee was formed, to be led by Ronnie Marler. Kimber
Green, Jeannette Marler and Annie Fuller to be Committee Members. The tentative event date is
September 24 th at Ustick Park. The first planning meeting is Tuesday, June 14 th . The City Event Trailer
will be requested for use for this event.
Discussion for a checking account balance increase to make reimbursement of the event receipts was
led by Joan Wallace, Treasurer. Areas of opportunity to increase the balance and bring additional
revenues will be discussed further. One idea is to request area businesses advertise their company on
the West Bench Association Website.
The meeting adjourned.
West Bench Neighborhood Association Board Meeting April 14, 2022
The West Bench Neighborhood Association Board Meeting was brought to order by
President, Jonathan Melby at 6:30 PM. This meeting was held at Ustick Library.
The Meeting Minutes from January 6 were reviewed and accepted.
Treasurers Report was provided. The current checking account balance is $585.00. The
reimbursement amount for the Traffic Speed Awareness signage is $512.00. The Board
approved the submission of $700.00 for the Easter Event for a portion of the annual Grant
allotment of $2,500.00.
A brief recap of the Spring Easter Social and Egg Hunt was discussed. An informal count of
those in attendance was approximately 150-175, half of the attendees being children.
An invitation to invite Tiffany Brugge-McCree at Energize Boise to an upcoming Board
Meeting was decided on.
A motion was made and passed that Ronnie Marler is to lead the Fundraising Committee.
Additional committee members to be added.
A motion was made and passed that Gordon Simpson will be the Committee Lead for the
Outreach Committee. This committee will establish opportunities and execute ways to reach
the Bench community to advertise and communicate events and issues within the Bench grid.
Additional proposals for this committee to create and execute a Newsletter that is both
digital and sent via mail. Ideas for the format and content are to be discussed in upcoming
meetings.
An update for the ‘traffic-slowing’ signage was provided. The traffic Safety Committee led by
Rochelle Schaetten and Joan Wallace they are working initially with the Mountain View
neighborhood to place signage for a three-week time period along Mountain View Drive to
encourage traffic to slow to 25 miles per hour. The signage will begin being placed in the
latter part of May.
A motion was made and passed that the West Bench Neighborhood Association would
exercise the Summer Act Grant Cycle, an amount of $1,000.00 can be applied for.
Discussion for City Planning & Zoning and the proposals that are being made were discussed.
An item addressed is Zoning rules and how these can override Homeowner’s Association
rules and guidelines. The Board is aware of the re-zoning that is currently taking place within
the City of Boise. The extent to which the Board is to be involved was visited and it was
established that knowledge of what is taking place is optimal.
The meeting adjourned
March 10th 2022
The West Bench Neighborhood Association General Meeting was brought to order by President, Jonathan Melby. This meeting started at 6:30 PM at the Ustick Library.
Attendance was taken and the preliminary Officer/Board Member Roster was reviewed by attendees for its accuracy. Minor revisions are to be made and the final Roster will be delivered to each Officer and Board Member at the April meeting. The Treasurer’s Report was provided.
Easter Egg Hunt Committee Members provided the upcoming plans and timeline for the event which will be held on April 9 at Fairmont Park. Additional committee meetings will be held leading up to the event. This event will begin at 11:00 AM and will accommodate children from ages 3 to 12.
Boise Council Member Eileen Clegg attended the meeting and provided an in-depth update regarding current changes taking place related to revised zoning codes. The original zoning codes from 1966 are to be updated via an Advisory Committee that is currently at work to make changes. Clegg provided a historical outline for the original Model Codes that were implemented by the Department of Interior in addition to the Federal Housing Administration which has been in use to this point in time.
Council Member Clegg provided the Blueprint Boise-Guiding Vision that is taking place. The Council Member led a discussion on housing and how additional housing, mainly multiple housing units be built to accommodate the growth that is taking place in the Boise area.
Alexis Pickering ACHD Commissioner District #2 was also in attendance. Pickering did confirm the widening of Ustick Road at Meridian and Ten Mile to accommodate a new facility that will ‘house’ the ACHD vehicles.
The Boise Tree Planting Initiative has begun, the information to request information to enroll to become a Tree Planting Captain has begun. The information provided is presented by the Energize Boise Team.
Learn more about the Boise Tree Captains Program and apply today! Submit completed applications by March 20, 2022, to be considered for this year’s program.
Successful applicants will be notified by the end of March and training will be offered in April.
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact us at cityoftreeschallenge@cityofboise.org
Brief discussions for the Linear Park located at Goddard also the Spaulding Ranch Park were discussed. All are anxious for these two projects to continue forward.
The meeting adjourned.
February 10, 2022.
The West Bench Neighborhood Association General Meeting was brought to order by President, Jonathan Melby. This meeting was held at the Cole Library and also via ZOOM, February 10, 2022.
The Treasurer’s Report was prepared by Treasurer, Joan Wallace and presented by Jonathan Melby. The current checking account balance is $585.74.
Attendees were made aware of the Boise Zoning Code Rewrite-Module 2, this to discuss the proposed changes to the codes. This meeting to be held February 16th at the Cole Library.
The ACHD Commission is in process to begin execution of the Five Year – Integration Plan. Specifically discussed is the sidewalk addition on Mountain View Drive between Cole and Ustick. Scoping for this project has begun.
The ACT Grant Program and it’s timing for submission was explained. The submission for the $700.00 budget request for the Easter Egg Hunt-event is to be submitted for approval. Reimbursement for expenses were discussed. The Easter Hunt committee is to meet February 10 post the General Meeting. Assignments and logistics to be outlined. This event is to be held April 9th at Fairmont Park, start time is 11:00 AM. An additional ACT Grant request can be made Fall of 2022.
Community Outreach was visited for. Components for the content were presented, in addition the disbursement of the Newsletter; print or electronic and possibly a combination of both.
The mayor’s scheduled meeting with the WBNA has been postponed. Tiffany Brugge-McCree at Energize Boise will provide updates for a date in the future the mayor is able to attend a West Bench Neighborhood Association meeting.
It was discussed that a Slide Show presentation be presented to the mayor, this would include projects in the works such as the Linear Park and Spaulding Ranch in addition, the areas within the Bench grid that there are of concern for improvement. Additional slide show photos would be recent accomplishments such as the Shelter at Fairmont Park and also the neighborhood signage. Photos taken by citizens can be sent to Rochelle Schaetten at vicepresident@wbna.org.
It was suggested that a Question-Answer opportunity to ask questions of the mayor pertaining to the WBNA grid be presented. Questions submitted to the mayor’s office in advance of the meeting is likely.
The WBNA Team is searching for updates from City Representatives regarding the next phase of Spaulding Ranch. Regarding the One Million Dollar allotment initially presented, the Association would like to know how much of those funds have been used for the park’s build out thus far.
The next scheduled meeting is March 10, 2022.
The meeting adjourned.
January 6, 2022
The January 6, 2022 West Bench Neighborhood Association Board Meeting was brought to order at 6:30 PM a the Ustick Library by President, Jonathan Melby.
A warm entry to the meeting was an article read by Melby to provide ideas for how communities can be brought together. Areas of interest for the ideas presented were discussed.
The Formal Meeting was brought to order-
First item of Business-
It was voted and decided on that a Master Contact Sheet would be prepared that provides the contact names, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses to be shared exclusively with Board Members and Officers. An Opt-In / Opt-out option was presented with two consecutive motions the vote was then taken. Post this meeting, Secretary Fuller reached to the Board Members who were not in attendance to confirm their decision to Opt-In. A Formal List will be prepared and presented at the next Quarterly Meeting.
Community and Public Outreach –
In order that the West Bench Neighborhood Association strives to reach a wider demographic of households within the West Bench grid, discussion for a Print Newsletter this in addition to an Electronic Newsletter was discussed. A Motion was brought forth and a unanimous vote taken to form and to explore all options available. A Committee is now formed and will be led by Board Member, Gordon Simpson. This Committee will be identified as a Public Outreach Committee. Use of Grant Funds to provide the mailings was addressed.
Discussion for additional plans for the 2022 year were presented:
*Easter Celebration-Easter Egg Hunt at Fairmont Park.
*The creation of new Committees
*Mini Grant and ACT Grants and their timeline for presentation for future events and projects identified. With this, the $700.00 Easter Event proposal was given, a Motion was brought forth and a unanimous vote was taken to move forward to request the funds for this event.
*Discussion to invite Tiffany Brugger-McCree, Program Manager at the City of Boise’s Energize Program to the next Quarterly meeting was visited for. With the re-structure of the Energize Boise Program, Board Members and Officers would like to learn more for its new structure. The most significant project identified relating to West Bench is the Linear Park that is still being negotiated with Settlers Canal Owners and the City of Boise.
Fall entry for grants that could be on the horizon-
*Phase 2 of the West Bench Signage-Neighborhood Entrance signage.
*Linear Park Project
*Bylaw adjustments to be discussed and prepared by Board and Officers to be no later than August of 2022 and then presented at the Annual Meeting to be held October 2022. *The Meeting adjourned.
December 9, 2021
GENERAL MEETING
Ustick Library
The meeting was brought to order by President Jonathan Melby.
Introductions
President Melby presented potential for a change in structure having to do with more small group
structure whereby neighbors connect with neighbors to best encourage a strong neighborhood.
The Buy-Nothing group connection to pursue ie Gift – this can be a tangible item and or service.
*Making connections
Facebook page west bench dwellers
GRANT Discussion-
Spring Grant Request
ACT Grant Program – Winter and Spring Activate Connect Transform
Submit by January 15th
Grant Types were explained.
Boise City ACT Grants- online option
Easter Event – Saturday the 9th of April.
Timelines for Grant requests discussed.
Energize Boise – Tiffany ______
Person to approve expenditures
Board Meeting January 6, 2022
Annual Meeting – Thursday October 14, 2021
The Annual Meeting for the West Bench Neighborhood Association was brought to order
October 14, 2021 at the Fairview Idaho Pizza, Boise, Idaho. Ronnie Marler welcomed thirty
Attendees.
Confirmation is set that the Annual Meeting will be held October of each year, this to align with
the Boise City Budget.
Traffic-calming thru specific areas within the West Bench neighborhood have been identified
and newly elected ACHD Commissioner Alexis Pickering will guide and lead the Bench
Association for the requests that have been identified.
Vice President Rochelle Schaetten provided an overview of the Sign Topper project that is now
completed. Additional projects that are currently in progress are the Linear Park that is located
directly across from Capital High School. This project is led by the Energize Boise Team. A
Memo of Understanding is requested by Settlers Canal Ownership. Additional projects
completed are the Picnic Shelter and walking path that connects Fairmont Park to Milwaukee.
President Ronnie Marler announced that he is to step down as the West Bench President.
Ronnie’s ten years as President brought many accomplishments:
-Adopt a Park
-Grants written with acceptance
-Traffic Box Wraps
-Lead and inter phased with the Energize Boise Team to request the start of the Linear Park
-Inter phased with Boise City and Park Coordinators for the start of Spaulding Ranch Park
-Logo and successful completion of the Sign Toppers
Elections conducted
By acclimation the following are to be the Officers and Board Members for the 2022 year
President- Jonathan Melby
Vice President – Rochelle Schaetten
Treasurer – Joan Wallace
Secretary – Annie Fuller
BOARD MEMBERS –
Jack Corcoran
Aaron England
Jody Hull
Kimber Green
Maridee Lemieux
Jeannette Marler
Ronnie Marler
Ken Miller
Graham Patterson
David Shaw
Gordon Simpson
Treasurers Report –
September 30, 2021 –
Checking Account Balance $416.90 and Savings Account Balance $25.00
Additional Topics
President Melby will set in-person scheduled meeting time slots at the Ustick Library, to be held
the second Thursday of each month, this to provide Committees formed the opportunity to
meet.
Upcoming Board Meetings to be held are October 28th, 2021, January 6th, April 14th and August
11 during 2022.
Discussion for –
-Community Garden
-Easter Egg Hunt
-A vehicle Charging Station at the Ustick Library
-Additional Bicycle Routes
-Fundraiser
The meeting adjourned
Thursday September 9 2021
The WEST BENCH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION Board and Officer Meeting was held September 9,
2021 this being the first in-person meeting in many months. This meeting was held at Idaho Pizza
Company on Fairview Avenue in Boise and was brought to order at 7 PM by President, Ronnie Marler.
Treasurer’s Report was made by Treasurer, Jonathan Melby. Current Bank balances are as follows:
$457.49 Checking and $25.00 Savings. Treasurer Melby explained a new Bookkeeping system that is
currently being used and is working well, it is also no cost to the Association.
Mini Grant submissions made, not yet approved are:
$300.00 ZOOM Subscription
$500.00 Signage for specific events to slow traffic.
*There will be opportunity to submit for other Mini Grants, this will be Spring and Summer of 2022.
The Annual Meeting for the upcoming elections plus recap of 2020/2021 is to be held October 14th at
6:30 PM at Idaho Pizza on Fairview. This is the first year that the Annual Meeting is to be held the
month of October. The Election-Nominating Committee is Rochelle Schaetten, David Shaw and Kimber
Green. The election for Officers plus Board Members who are up for Re-Election will take place. The
Postcard to invite all neighbors will be released in the next week.
Updates for status of the Linear Park along Goddard Road plus status of the next phase of Spaulding
Ranch Park to be presented at the Annual Meeting. In addition, an inquiry will be made for the newly
planted fruit trees at the Park once the irrigation is turned off for the season. An update for this also
to be provided at the Annual Meeting.
Newly elected District 2 Ada County Commissioner, Alexis Pickering was in attendance to bring those
at the meeting current as to what is taking place at ACHD. A brief update for how the Legislature
interfaces with ACHD was provided.
The ACHD Budget is now passed and with this ACHD will begin establishing specific projects that have
been submitted with request for change and or, update. This plan will be finalized the month of
November. These projects are part of the ACHD Five Year Integration Plan. Three specific projects
that are that are the goal of Commissioner Pickering are as follows:
1) Improve the traffic flow and calming at the intersection of Cole Road and Mountain View Drive
2) Improve the traffic flow and calming at the intersection of Glenwood and Mountain View Drive
3) Sidewalk placement on the North side of Mountain View Drive between Cole Lane and Glenwood
Drive.
Discussion for how to place requests to ACHD both individually and by way of the West Bench
Association were discussed. Commissioner Pickering also demonstrated places via the computer to
learn status of projects, place requests plus learn ACHD Meeting dates and Times. The Team was also
told about an ACHD APP that can be used to alert ACHD for issues on the roads such as fallen trees,
damage to the road and the like. Commissioner Pickering also indicated that she welcomes e-mail.
There were many round-table items visited for at this meeting, this pertaining to the quality of life for
Cole Road and Mountain View neighbors. Rochelle, Joan and Dan who previously formed the
Thursday May 13th 2021
The West Bench Neighborhood Association Board Meeting was brought to order by President Ronnie
Marler, Thursday May 13th at 7:15 PM. This meeting was conducted via ZOOM.
FINANCIAL REPORT was presented by Treasurer, Jonathan Melby. Year-to-date two deposits; January
15th for $40.00 and March 24th for $42.51. Current Bank Balances: Checking $607.39 and Savings
$25.00.
The Community Garden Committee is now formed and will be led by Ken Miller. The purpose of this
meeting is to explore a level of interest plus feasibility for the creation of a neighborhood garden located
at Cabarton Park. This park is located on Cabarton Road located in the Mountain View neighborhood.
The first meeting is to be held May 19th at 4:00 pm at the park’s location. This committee will also
pursue the City of Boise Community Garden Team, the BUZZ program thru Parks and Recreation plus the
Urban Garden School to learn pertinent details. The committee formed will update the Association for
its findings. Consulting with neighbors for their level interest will also take place.
ACHD – The West Bench Association is to carry the concern for traffic speed and violations at the
corners of Cole Road and Mountain View Drive also at the intersection at Glenwood Drive and Mountain
View Drive. A Task Force is now in place led by Rochelle Schaetten, Dan Sutton and Joan Wallace. The
Task Force intends to work with ACHD plus the Boise Police Department Traffic Representative
regarding these areas, plus create solutions to slow traffic thru the one-point-two mile stretch on
Mountain View between Ustick and Glenwood Drive. A Survey with request for completion will be hand
delivered to residents living in this stretch of the Drive. The option to complete this survey via email will
also be presented to residents.
BYLAW completion – The West Bench Neighborhood Association was presented the bylaw edits and the
vote by residents is now complete. The Energize Boise Team at the City of Boise will review and approve
the edits presented.
SIGN TOPPER completion has been finalized and all toppers were photographed by Ronnie Marler and
sent to the Energize Team at the City of Boise to confirm completion of this open order. Initial
discussion for the next step being the Entrance signs could be made thru a Capitol Project in time to
come. This signage will also identify the West Bench neighborhood by being placed at ‘key entrances’ to
the neighborhood.
PARK CLEAN UP led by Mary Margaret Draper who is in communication with Parks and Recreation to
coordinate the monthly park clean up at Fairmont Park, this to be the last Saturday of each month at
9:00 AM.
Discussion to begin in-person meetings took place, moving forward this is to be the goal.
The meeting concluded.
FebruaryMeeting 2021
February 11, The Annual Meeting for the West Bench Neighborhood Association was called to order by
President Ronnie Marler.
This meeting was conducted via ZOOM, all attendees of the Zoom meeting were requested to add their
name and contact information to the chat stream, 33 neighbors were in attendance.
The annual Treasurer’s Report was made by Jonathan Melby. Jonathan reviewed the expenditures and
asset balance for the 2020 year.
Rochelle Schaetten 2021 nominating Committee Chairperson with the Assistance of Graham Paterson
worked ahead of this year’s annual meeting to provide names of interested candidates to be placed for
election. *This list of candidates included Officer and Board Member positions.
*All incumbent Officers plus incumbent Board Members retained positions by win of acclimation. In
addition, New Members were added to the 2021 Board.
2021 Officers:
President Ronnie Marler
Vice President Rochelle Schaetten
Secretary Annie Fuller
Treasurer Jonathan Melby
Board Members
Aaron England
Joshua Hibbard
Jim Hull (Incumbent)
Jody Hull
Maridee Lemieux
Jeanette Marler
Graham Paterson (Incumbent)
Dave Shaw (Incumbent)
Gordon Simpson (Incumbent)
2020 year in Review – Presentation by President, Ronnie Marler
Spaulding Ranch
Sagebrush Planting – Five Hundred native plants were placed at Spaulding Ranch. Many of the West
Bench neighbors participated plus other Boise citizens who came to participate in this project. Spring of
2021 the planting of fruit trees to establish the Orchard is to take place. Due to COVID restrictions, this
will be a Parks and Recreation assignment, only. The build-out of Spaulding Ranch Park will continue, an
extended timeline for completion has been established. Zoning from residential to open space use was
presented to the City at a recent Public Hearing meeting held February 1, 2021.
**The Neighborhood Identity Kit was completed 2020. The West Bench Team worked with Nancy Jasper
of Jasper Advertising and Marketing who presented the design – layout for the Identity Kit which
includes signage, namely the Sign Toppers that were created to best reflect the West Bench
neighborhood. The Sign Toppers have been produced and placement has begun at designated locations
throughout the West Bench neighborhood. ACHD will make the sign installations. The locations for
placement were decided upon at a previous meeting.
**A meeting with Mayor McLean and Police Chief, Ryan Lee was also held during the 2020 year.
**Three Utility Box Wraps were funded and installed in the West Bench neighborhood.
**Community Building –
There were many plans for events in 2020 however due to COVID, these were postponed. Ideas for
virtual plus events that can take place with spacing in mind are in the works for the 2021 year.
**ADOPT A PARK – The West Bench Association has volunteered to clean up Mountain View Park the
last Saturday of the month for several years. This project is currently on hold. A new assignment at
Fairmont Park is likely to be in the future.
**Discussion for a community Garden at Cabarton Park be considered.
ACHD
**Alexis Pickering, newly elected ACHD Commissioner was in attendance. Alexis requested that ideas
for areas of improvement throughout the district that she represents be sent to her by the 17th of
February. Alexis identified a five-year integration plan that she will be working with the ACHD Team for.
Additional Matters –
**A Board meeting was held January 11, 2021. Ideas to connect with neighbors 2021 were a Spring
cleanup, Virtual Garden Tour, Sign selfies to be shown with the newly installed West Bench signage and
front yard place making for neighbors to stop and take a break while walking thru the neighborhood.
The Annual Meeting is being requested to be moved to a designated date in the Fall of each year.
Change of this date would require an update to the bylaws of the West Bench Association, in addition
are other established By Laws that will also be reviewed for change and will be required to be adopted
by both the West Bench Neighborhood Association and the City of Boise.
Review of the Energize Boise Project – The conceptual lay out of the Linear Park has been prepared. City
of Boise Lawyers are currently working with the Settler Canal ownership for the plans presented. The
project is moving forward with a tentative start that is slated for the second quarter of 2021.
March 11th is the next scheduled Board Meeting. It will be held via ZOOM.
The meeting concluded.
Secretary: Annie Fuller
January Meeting 2021
February 14, 2021
Ronnie, Jeannette, Mary Margaret, Graham, Jonathan, Rochelle, Betty, Aaron England attended.
Jonathan gave the Treasurers update 649.90 in checking and $25 in savings.
Grants were explained by Jonathan. How to get them.
Signs are being made for the sign toppers of streets. Watch for them.
No money for Settlers yet and no news on it
No planting date for anything further at Spaulding Ranch
ACHD confirmed sign locations
Elections next month will be put on “Next Door” by Rochelle. Her and Graham will work together to get this going for the February meeting
Jonathan said he will stay the Treasurer unless someone else wants it
Suggestion to meet this spring and summer at Fairmont Park with social distance
Zoom February meeting – voted seconded
Sending out WBNA.org Postcard/My husband
Ron is sending out Annual Report / Web Form
Things we accomplished for 2020:4 Utility boxes done Spaulding Ranch sagebrush planted, goats put on the land, irrigation Settlers had the plans drawn up and okayed Toppers were designed and are now being made Mayor and Chief of Police were present at one meeting Trash pickup at Mountain View
Easter hunt canceled…holding the bunny suit for later
Participating building Energize
2021 meeting suggestions: Social distance gathering individual ice cream giving out June clean up day for all the neighborhood of WBNA Post garden tour – Pictures? Selfie with all the street topper signs Painted rock contest Color pictures colored for Easter / April 4Community Garden on Cabarton Street property discussed Do we want to get involved with zoning meetings
Pictures from stuff we did 2020
Sandwich boards for Annual meeting
<3
Annual Meeting 2020
February 13, 2020
Ronnie Marlar welcomed a crowd of over 35 people to the annual meeting.
Jonathan gave the Treasurers report – Checking $438.70
Savings – $25.00
2020 Mini Grant – $2,000.00
Ronnie explained to the new-comers that we are an unincorporated non-profit. Jonathan added that he has investigated the 501C status and it is considerable paperwork, but feels that it can be accomplished.
Ronnie reviewed the associations accomplishments this past year.
Settlers Canal – we are working with the University of Idaho on landscaping and developing a linear park that is pedestrian friendly.
Capital Grants will help the association with an “identity kit” which includes a logo representing our neighborhood, sign toppers and other marketing information. The Community Building Committee has had several meetings on this subject as well as future plans for our association
Fairmont Park picnic shelter and additional walking path were celebrated with a potluck at the site
Planting at Spaulding Ranch – sage and bitter brush was planted in about 1/4 of the future park by WBNA members and volunteers
Yard Sale – the annual yard sale made just over $200.
Mountain View Park – the last Saturday of each month we clean up our adopted park and Mary Margaret reports our hours to the city. Any damaged trees, vandalism or concerns in the park are reported as well.
2020 plans for the coming year –
- Working with city as we are an “energize” area which means we get additional funds and help from the city to energize our neighborhood. Ronnie explained to the new comers about the work that was accomplished in the Vista Neighborhood several years ago with this program.
- Outreach events to make residents aware of projects
- Our first Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for April 11 at Fairmont Park
- Planting the orchard at Spaulding Ranch this fall
- A Fall Festival is in the planning stages, TBA
Rochelle suggested that we give more details on where Spaulding is and our plans for the park. Ronnie obliged with more details on where it is situated. The Barn, when restored, will be an events center, weddings – parties, farm to table gardens, walking paths and much more. BUGS will provide classes as well. The old Ranch House will be offices and smaller meeting spaces for our West Bench Neighborhood Association and other organizations. As it is completed there will be more and more partners and people using the space. The plans are on our WBNA website as well as Boise City Parks and Recreation website. Discussion followed.
Ronnie turned the meeting over to Rochelle to conduct the elections of officers.
Rochelle thanked all the officers for their hard work this last year.
New officers for 2020 are:
- President – Ronnie Marler
- Vice President – Jody Hull
- Secretary – Annie Fuller
- Treasurer- Jonathan Melby
- New board Members: Ken Miller, Aaron England, Diane Wilmore and Joe Gordon
Next regular meeting is March 12, 7:00 PM, Cole/Ustick Library
West Bench Neighborhood Association
Regular Meeting January 9, 2020
President Ronnie Marler called the meeting to order.
Johnathan presented the treasurer’s report of $555.45 in checking and $25.00 in savings. The 2020 mini grant of $2,000.00 is now available. Rochelle inquired about what the mini-grant funded. Discussion followed on ineligible uses as well as activities that have been planned.
Annual report – Ronnie will submit it by the end of the month.
The post card reminder for our annual meeting in February was discussed. Annie will make care of refreshments for that meeting. We will set up at 7:15. Meeting from 7:30 to 8:45. The agenda will be
- Treasurer’s report
- Annual report
- Election of officers/board
- In-house survey on “branding” for the attendees – with voting by the “dot” method
An on-line survey concerning the branding suggestions will be completed by February 20 so the artist, Nancy Jasper, can present ideas at the March meeting.
The Fall Interactive Meeting for all Neighborhood Associations will be held at Capital High School his fall. -It is a day of seminars and speakers that was very well attended last year at Borah High School.
It was suggested to invite the newly elected Mayor to our annual meeting or a future meeting with a tour of the Settlers Canal and Spaulding Ranch. Annie had visited with her on the phone during the campaign about our plans and hopes for the West Bench.
Ronnie reported that the ditch company and the city have decided on a plan to pipe part of the ditch and leave the trees intact and some areas of the ditch exposed. The wetlands area was discussed. Apples and pears trees will be planted in the orchard.
In addition to the postcard notice of our annual meeting. Rochelle will put a sandwich board with the announcement on Mountain View and we will have one at the library.